A Dover man who admitted to shooting a woman in the head while she was sleeping in a hotel room pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Thursday in Kent County Superior Court.

Darren Weiford, 22, admitted in court that he was guilty of shooting and killing 20-year-old Amber Buckler on June 1, 2017, at the First State Inn Motel on Dupont Highway in Dover.

At the scene, Dover police arrested Weiford after he pointed them to the hotel room where he shot Buckler. Police said Weiford and Buckler were a couple and staying at the motel at the time.

Weiford was charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Defense attorney James E. Liguori said Thursday that Weiford was suffering from depression and anxiety at the time of the murder and had spent a couple of days in the Dover Behavioral Health facility just weeks before the shooting.

His attorney said Weiford was taking medication for depression.

Under the plea agreement, the charge was changed to second-degree murder.

Weiford faces life plus 25 years in prison and could be out on good behavior after 18 years.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15.

What we know

• Darren Weiford admitted to shooting 20-year-old Amber Buckler in the head on June 1, 2017, while she was sleeping in her room at the First State Inn Motel on Dupont Highway in Dover.

• According to court documents, Weiford told Dover police officers arriving at the First State Inn Motel to arrest him, then pointed inside the motel room where he and Buckler were staying. Police found Buckler dead from a single gunshot wound.

• Police said a Ruger 9mm handgun was found on the bed and later determined to belong to Weiford. A 911 call saying police were needed at the motel first drew officers to the scene.

• Police at the time said the incident was possibly domestic-related.

Reach Jerry Smith at jsmith17@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JerrySmithTNJ.